Polaris Ranger Recall: Side by Side ATV Poses Risk of Fire

Nearly 4,000 Polaris Ranger “Crew” and “6×6” Side-by-Side vehicles have been recalled due to an electrical defect which can cause the tail light to melt or burst into flames.

The Polaris Ranger recall was announced on Tuesday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and affects about 3,800 units sold at Polaris dealerships across the United States between December 2008 through July 2009.

There have been at least 46 incidents where the tail light overheated and melted. In 22 of those cases, the light actually caught fire. No injuries have been reported.

The affected models retailed for about $11,500 and include the Ranger 700 EFI 6×6 and Ranger 700 EFI Crew. The model numbers for the recalled 6×6 vehicles are R09RF68AF and R09RF68AR. The model numbers for the recalled Crew vehicles are R09WH68AC, R09WH68AG, R09WH68AL, R09WH68AR and R09WH68AZ. The model and serial number identification decal is on the right-side seat support located under the front seat.

The CPSC and Polaris are advising users to stop operating the recalled vehicles immediately and contact a Polaris dealer for a free repair. Company officials say that registered owners are being contacted by mail.